Real Surrealism, For Families

Kids who understand surrealism more in relation to the cheesy reality show ``The Surreal Life'' than in its true context don't really understand surrealism at all.

They have an educational Saturday ahead of them at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

Community Day Open House at the Hartford museum features family-oriented activities and tours focusing on the exhibit ``Dali, Picasso and the Surrealist Vision.'' Admission is free. All programs will be conducted in Spanish and English.

Beginning at 10 a.m., families can browse the museum at their own pace, searching for clues to a surrealist mystery to get a prize. Families also can participate in two tours: A museum highlights tour begins at 11:30 a.m., and a tour of the surrealism show begins at 1 p.m.

Afterward, kids can create a surrealist dreamscape at the art activity table, assemble a work of art online to e-mail to a friend or add a line or two to a collective, stream-of-consciousness poem in either Spanish or English.

In addition, actors Carmen Martella and Susan Ricca will portray Salvador Dali and his wife, Gala, in the galleries devoted to the surrealism exhibit between noon and 3 p.m.

Finally, as a Halloween treat, kids will be shown the surreal, spooky ``Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas'' in the Atheneum's Aetna Theater at 3 p.m. The 1993 animated musical tells how Jack Skellington (above), the pumpkin king of Halloweentown, attempts to hijack Christmas. The 76-minute film -- which, despite its title, was directed by Henry Selick, with Burton the producer and co-writer -- is rated PG, and is in English with Spanish subtitles.

The Atheneum is at 600 Main St. For details, visit www.wadsworthatheneum.org or call 860-278-2670.